A double-edged hashtag: Evaluation of #ADHD-related TikTok content and its associations with perceptions of ADHD

Karasavva V. Miller C. Groves N. Montiel A. Canu W. Mikami A (2025). A double-edged hashtag: Evaluation of #ADHD-related TikTok content and its associations with perceptions of ADHD. PLOS ONE, 20(3), e0319335. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319335

Overall rating
(5.0) 1 review
Authors
Vasileia Karasavva, Caroline Miller, Nicole Groves, Andrés Montiel, Will Canu, Amori Mikami
Journal
PLOS ONE
First published
2025
Number of citations
3
Type
Journal Article
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0319335

Abstract

We aimed to assess the psychoeducational quality of TikTok content about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from the perspective of both mental health professionals and young adults across two pre-registered studies. In Study 1, two clinical psychologists with expertise in ADHD evaluated the claims (accuracy, nuance, overall quality as psychoeducation material) made in the top 100 #ADHD TikTok videos. Despite the videos’ immense popularity (collectively amassing nearly half a billion views), fewer than 50% of the claims about ADHD symptoms were judged to align with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In Study 2, 843 undergraduate students (no ADHD =  224, ADHD self-diagnosis =  421, ADHD formal diagnosis =  198) were asked about their typical frequency of viewing #ADHD content on TikTok and their perceptions of ADHD and were shown the top 5 and bottom 5 psychologist-rated videos from Study 1. A greater typical frequency of watching ADHD-related TikToks was linked to a greater willingness to recommend both the top and bottom-rated videos from Study 1, after controlling for demographics and ADHD diagnostic status. It was also linked to estimating a higher prevalence of ADHD in the general population and greater challenges faced by those with ADHD. Our findings highlight a discrepancy between mental health professionals and young adults regarding the psychoeducational value of #ADHD content on TikTok. Addressing this is crucial to improving access to treatment and enhancing support for those with ADHD.

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Not Open Access

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PeachStirrer Jul 02, 2025

really enjoyed this paper. open source data and preregistered study. good explanation throughout of choices. “identified as women” and good breakdown of “genders” in the table. good note re indigenous participants. clear explanation of findings and potential disparities (e.g. not summing up 100%). clear ethics statement. why not include non-binary demographics in study 2? good descriptive statistics, easy to follow analysis intro and discussion well written - would be easy for non-academic to follow limitations the authors touched on as well - top 100 videos may not represent actual experience of individual users